Saturday, 4 November 2017

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe openly pilloried his deputy and possible successor Saturday, saying he might sack him, in a combative speech at a rally where his wife Grace was booed by some in the crowd.The 93-year-old leader’s remarks exposed tensions in the ruling ZANU-PF party over who stands to take power after him, an event only expected when Mugabe dies but a generational change likely to prompt bitter battles.

1994 African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, believes Chelsea’s Victor Moses looks good to end Nigeria’s 18 year wait to record another winner of the CAF MVP award, but admits it will be tough for the Nigerian winger who comes up against other current great players on the continent.Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigerian player that won the award in 1999 after his sterling performance for Arsenal and Nigeria.

Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez will remain at Arsenal in January as speculation begins to mount over proposed renewed interest from Manchester City.The Chile international looked set for a reunion with Pep Guardiola during the previous transfer window, but the Gunners’ failure to land Thomas Lemar from Monaco reportedly persuaded Wenger to keep hold of his prized asset.

Riyad Mahrez was prevented from joining Barcelona or Roma over the summer by Leicester, according to Roma official Monchi.The sporting director of the Serie A side says that interest from his club was knocked back by the Foxes despite their Algeria international forward expressing a desire to move on.Mahrez made his intentions clear at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, claiming that he had fulfilled his promise to spend one more year at the King Power Stadium following their remarkable Premier League title triumph.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte downplayed Jose Mourinho’s pursuit of “revenge” after Manchester United’s two losses at Stamford Bridge last season.Mourinho lost 4-0 in the Premier League and 1-0 in the FA Cup to mark two miserable visits to the club he led to the Premier League title on three occasions.

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have the required formula to beat Manchester City, but says he won’t “play with seven strikers”.Arsenal are tasked with bringing City’s sensational start to the season to an end when they travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Ex-President George W Bush has criticised Donald Trump, saying “this guy doesn’t know what it means to be President”.Mr. Bush went on record along with his father, George HW Bush, to discuss their thoughts on Mr Trump as part of a new book about the pair.

The Red Cross has uncovered several cases of fraud by officials during efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak that struck West Africa in 2014-2016, estimating losses of $6-million (5.2 million euros).In a statement, the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it was “outraged”, and said it would “ensure any staff involved are held to account.”

David Moyes says he would accept the vacant managerial job at Everton if offered the role, and believes he has become a “better all-round manager” since his last spell in charge of the Toffees.Everton have been without a permanent manager since sacking Ronald Koeman last month and caretaker-manager David Unsworth is yet to pick up a victory since taking over from the Dutchman.

Mariah Carey and her manager Stella Bulochnikov have split.Page Six reports that ,Bulochnikov who oversaw the launch of Carey’s reality TV career and her infamous New Years Eve concert debacle was notably absent on Carey’s recent visit to New York.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports that he has formally declared his intention to run for president in 2019.Atiku said this in a statement by his media office on Friday.He distanced himself from a video which was circulated on social media in which he was purported to have said he would be contesting.

Former Nigeria international Taribo West has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Technical Study Group of the Nigeria Football Federation.The NFF had on Monday dissolved its committees but on Friday, the federation in a statement released only the names of the new chairmen and vice chairmen of the committees.

Not a few have dubbed Jim Iyke, ‘Nollywood bad boy’ but, love or hate him, the fashionable actor continues to enjoy a rising profile amidst several controversies. In this interview with Premium Times, the University of Jos Philosophy graduate, opened up on things close to his heart as well as his latest venture.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri has resigned. In a televised broadcast from Saudi Arabia, Hariri said he feared for his life. He accused Iran of sowing “fear and destruction” in several countries, including Lebanon. Mr Hariri’s father, former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.

A young lady identified as Onuoha Ebubechi Faith, is feeling ecstatic after one of her utmost desires was granted unto her recently. The young lady finally got admitted into the university after five years of trying and failing. She was granted admission into the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo state (FUTO), to study Geology. Congratulations to her.

A man identified as Enu from Emu-Obodeti in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State, yesterday chopped off neighbor’s flesh in Port-Harcourt over a foiled attempt by the neighbor who intervened as he attempted to allegedly attacked his own wife.According to reports. the incident happened yesterday when the neighbor (victim) by name Tornu Bari aka National escorted Enu’s wife back home after she received a distress call from her husband.

A notorious fraudster, Henry Ushie, who poses with the names and ranks of very senior police officers, ministers and Chief Executive Officers of multinational agencies to defraud Nigerians has been arrested by the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

The presidency has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari never made a promise to Nigerians in 2015 that he would not seek medical treatment abroad if elected.His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday disclosed this while appearing as a guest on Focus Nigeria, a programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT).

Five members of the executives of Home Owners and Residents Association of 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, have been arrested by policemen, who claimed to be acting on orders from the Inspector-General of Police’s office, locking them up without a chance to contact their family and friends.The association alleged that the policemen, numbering six claiming to be from the Special Tactical Squad of the IGP’s office, were sent on the instigation of a tenant of the estate, Mr. Akinlosi Oyelokun, said to have a connection to the IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.Initially arrested on Wednesday, November 1, was HORA’s Finance Manager, Mrs. Joy Okara;Accounts Clerk, Mr. Peace Itaribo and Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniyi.

One week after a 39-year-old man, Lukman Olowu, and a woman, Promise Nne, were found dead half-naked in a car on a Lagos street, their families say they were awaiting results of the autopsies that would clear up speculations about their relationship and death.

Reports claimed that Lukman and Nne were lovers but while the man’s family insisted that he could not possibly be the woman’s lover, Nne’s husband, Clement, said he knew that she was having an affair.

An undergraduate in the Abia State College of Health, Science and Management Technology, Aba, Felicia Ifeanyi, on Friday, gave birth to a set of triplets at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.Felicia, a resident of Uhet in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, said she did not expect to give birth to triplets, adding that they were gift from God.

A woman Police Officer known as Sergeant Ogochukwu Okebu attached to Awada Police Division in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra state is currently undergoing interrogation over her alleged involvement in child stealing cum trafficking.Investigation has it that the woman police with Force No. 031772 had on the first week of last October, sighted an emergency pregnant young girl with name Chiamaka Owene at the notorious Upper Iweka, looking rugged and as the girl was crying for help, Sergeant Ogochukwu Okebu alleged by approached the girl with pretence of assisting her only for her to conner the emergency mother and took her to a suspected child trafficking center in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

Since her deserved appointment as Cultural Ambassador of Ile-Ife Kingdom, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi’s recent divorce from his wife, Olori Wuraola, tongues have been wagging that sensational female talking drummer and performing artiste, Aralola Olumuyiwa, better known as ‘Ara’, may become the Ooni’s next Olori, but she has denied being romantically involved with the monarch.

​Italian police have seized 50 million euros worth of tablets of a synthetic opiate destined to be sold by the Islamic State (IS) group in Libya to raise funds for attacks, a court said Friday.Financial police discovered over 24 million Tramadol tablets, en route from India to Libya, at the port of Gioia Tauro in southern Italy..

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has snubbed the ongoing 2017 edition of Kabba Day over fear of been attacked by angry youths in the area.It was gathered that the governor was already in Kabba to attend the annual occasion before news filtered around that some youths at the same occasion which the governor was to attend attacked Senator Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi West in the National Assembly.

The popular British names: Emily, George, Charlotte, Catherine, William and Thomas are all banned in Portugal, while Sarah isn’t allowed in Iceland.Denmark, Iceland, Portugal and Iceland all enforce specific naming conventions in Europe, while Saudi Arabia also has a list of monikers that don’t make the cut.

A prosecution witness yesterday informed an Ikeja High Court how suspected kidnap Kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, was paid 223,000 Euros to secure the release of his victim, Donatus Duru.

In his evidence, the witness, Anselem Dunu, the elder brother of Donatus Duru, who was kidnapped on February 14, 2017, said his brother spent four months in custody of his kidnappers. He told Justice Hakeem Oshodi that Evans did not release his brother even after collecting the ransom.

Pope Francis has requested that Roman Catholic priests be given the right to get married.The request applies to priests in Brazil, and is on the agenda for an upcoming synod (church council) in the Amazon region.A small number of married Roman Catholic priests already exist, including previously married Anglican vicars who have joined the church.

The high school student from Montana caused a frenzy online when she was sent home for wearing no bra underneath a black t-shirt.18-year-old Juvik was punished with a dress code violation which left her seething and ready to fight for justice.

Ever since her stellar performance in the movie, ‘Arugba,’ directed by legendary film maker, Tunde Kilani, ten years ago, actress Bukky Awoyemi, popularly known as Bukky Arugba, remained Nigerians’ sweetheart on the silver screen until 2014 when she encountered her first scandal as an actress.It was reported that Bukky snatched her actor husband, Damola Olatunji, from another woman.

Actor Charles Inojie made a name for himself when he became a comic actor. As much as he has had so many fond memories, the actor told Saturday Beats he would likely not forget in a hurry how he proposed to his wife.He said that even though he wanted a conventional proposal, it was not possible because of the circumstances that he was faced with at the time.

Nollywood actress Omalicha Elom has revealed how she gets sexual satisfaction, despite being single. In an interview with SunNews, she said:“I have never experienced heartbreak.In fact, I don’t even know what it is like, because I have only dated two guys in my life. I was the one that dumped them.

The recent todo on the issue of tithing which was sparked up by popular On Air Personality, Daddy Freeze, is actually a sad reflection of the state of Christianity in Nigeria specifically and the Black world in general.Why? Because it proves that it is still true that if you want to hide anything from a Black man all you need to do is to put it in a book!

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who was an ambassador and minister under PDP and at a time was the highest ranking politician from Lagos State in the last PDP government has since decamped to APC after he lost the last governorship elections in Lagos.In a recent interview with Global Excellence, he narrated his subsequent ordeal in the hands of EFCC saying, ‘That matter is better left untouched. I will tell you why. For me, it is just politics.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, for his alleged role in the disbursement of N23bn which emanated from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.A senior EFCC operative told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that Wada was invited to explain why he collected the sum and how it was expended.

On October 28th, Freeze took his campaign against paying of tithe to another level when he shared photo of the luxury car of the Senior Pastor of David’s Christian Center in Lagos, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo. Freeze shared the photo with the caption ‘I hear this is a pastors car’. The car had a customized plate Number ”I Tithe’.

A 35-year-old Bayelsa State resident, Preye Idan, and his pregnant wife, Divine, 18, have been arrested for armed robbery.They told journalists while being paraded before journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital that they ventured into crime because they had no other way of surviving.

This morning, Femi Adeshina the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari wrote an interesting article praising his boss and taking time to explain events that’s happened in the past two weeks including the sacking of former SGF Babachir Lawal and other issues.

In a chat with Live FM, it is rumored the actress said “My talent is as big as my ass”.According to her, movie directors and producers in Ghana have not been able to exploit her full potential.“I am an expensive actress. and people do not know my value and worth. that is why i get very few roles to play in Ghanaian movies. I said i am going to bring the Oscars to Ghana, and i will do just that. But the Ghanaian market is just not good for me”. She added.

Students sponsored by the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the United States have commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the Amnesty Programme and the peace in the Niger-Delta region.A statement by Jimmy Iwezu, leader of the Amnesty Students in the U.S., obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also dissociated the group from a planned protest at Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

In a post titled ‘One child too many. A history of death, tragedy and sorrow and the terrible price of power in Nigeria’, Femi Fani-Kayode chronicled the tragedies that have befallen most politicians that have ruled or attempted to rule Nigeria.

In the early 1960′s Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the Western Region, lost his first son and years later his second son and second daughter were cut short in the prime of their lives.

Lagos based businesswoman and politician, Hajia Fateema Muhammed, in this interview with the Editor, FOLORUNSHO HAMSAT shares her views on women development, developmental politics, lifestyle, among other issues. Enjoy reading…

Challenges of securing an aircraft to convey the corpse of the late Wife of the former governor of Gombe State, Hajiya Yelwa Mohammed Danjuma Goje to the country has again caused the postponement of her burial.The family had in a statement by Ahmad Mohammed Goje said Hajiya Yelwa died on Monday in the United States of America where she had gone for medical attention.

Beautiful singer Niniola, has opened up about the embarrassment she had to put up with when she broke her teeth few years ago.Speaking with Saturday Beats at her Album listening, the MARADONA crooner revealed that she broke her teeth when she was in JSS2.

​Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo who are expecting their third child, have revealed the gender of their baby.Taking to Instagram, Roccuzzo appeared to announce to the world that their next child would be a boy after posting a birthday celebration for their eldest son Thiago, who recently turned five.

Cristiano Ronaldo has raked in another trophy to his collection after being crowned the IFFHS world’s best goalscorer for 2016. The IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) presented the trophy to the Real Madrid forward for his impressive goalscoring record in 2016.